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The Colgate Maroon-News The Oldest College Weekly in America ▼ Founded 1868 Volume CXLI, Number XIII December 5, 2008 Ushering in a New Era of Campus Activism BY KATHERINE DEVRIES Maroon-News Staff Since the initial public outrage that was sparked by the discovery of racist graffiti in an Alumni Hall bathroom several weeks ago, a group of Colgate students have taken it upon themselves to make sure that the currently elevated awareness of the prevalence of racism and discrimination on campus does not fade until actual, tangible changes are made. The group calls itself the "Unity Coalition" and, along with running several recent solidarity events, including the Chapel Speak=Out and the pre-Thanksgiving Unity March, they have drawn up a Diversity Initiative Proposal which provides specific goals for increasing racial awareness on campus, as well as a timeline dictating deadlines by which the proposed reforms should be instated. The coalition first presented its Diversity Initiative Proposal to the Faculty Affairs Committee, which then presented it to the entire Colgate faculty this past Monday. The initiatives this proposal presents include tour guide reform, mandatory preservation of the Harlem Renaissance Center (HRC), the addition of a multi-cultural sorority to campus, professionalprofessional development reform, the implementation of a social justice symposium, changes to the required reading list for first year students, Core Curriculum reform and a demand that Presi dent Chopp make a statement concerning the current state of diversity on campus in the next issue of the Colgate Scene. Over the past few weeks, the Unity Coalition has put long hours in to completing the Diversity Initiative Proposal. In the proposal, everything from general reform strategies, to specific ideas—such as an improved summer reading list, including Belovedby'Toni Morrison, Emma by Jane Austen and Race Matters by Cornell West—are covered. In terms of CORE reform, the proposal both explains why change is necessary, and details a vague syllabus for a new discrimination-conscious course. This syllabus basically outlines a class which would discuss issues ranging from racism to classism, heterosexism, religious intolerance and group dynamics. Assistant Professor of Educational Studies John Palmer noted that one way in which this plan could be improved would be to focus more on infusing diversity discussions into the curricula of UNITING AGAINST RACISM: Following the appearance of racist graffiti in an Alumni Hall bathroom, a group of students called the Unity Coalition was formed. The group seeks to raise diversity awareness and their Diversity Initative Proposal outlines their plans for campus reform. —^——— photo by Ananya Das President Chopp Addresses Economic Crisis BY LAURA STOLOFF Managing Editor On Monday, December 1, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined nearly eight percent, which was the 12th biggest single day drop and the fourth biggest point drop since the Dow was created in 1896. This does not bode well for the employment figures for November, which are due to be released this Friday. It's a trickle effect that has caused serious changes, possibly detrimental, to educational institutions across the country. Last Tuesday, November 25, President of the University and Professor of Philosophy and Religion Rebecca Chopp wrote her second message to the Colgate community on the university's response to the poor economy. In the letter, Chopp explains the serious challenges not only the campus community will face in the following year but also the nation. She outlined a four-step plan that provides ways in which the university will respond. "Our first action will be to substantially reduce next year's operating budget allocation to capital projects," Chopp stated in her first listed measure. The university has one project in mind, the remodel of Lathrop Hall, which will be put on hold until further notice. Sidelines, a consulting firm in charge of advising campus administration, will discuss which projects can wait renovation within the next year. "Sidelines did an analysis of the physical facilities on campus, and said we were structurally really good. At the top of the pool. Colin Powell to Visit Campus A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to give a talk at Colgate on Friday, April 3 as part of the Global Leaders Lecture Series, which previously brought His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Freakonomics authors Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt. , , --»■- - ■ photo courtesy or ncwsday.com Continued on PageA-3 Continued on page A-3 INSIDE; I NEWS The Verdict is in: SGA Announces New Textbook Purchasing System, A-3 COMMENTAR^ phu[<' In >ni i! uihw inst iui Real Change for America? Thoughts on Obama, B-1 ARTS&FEATURE ■| MM.MiI v Wo iicwvjjv.omi 'Tisthe Season for Christmas Movies, C-5 SPORTS i W A Chat with the President of NBC Sports, D-1 www.maroon-news.com

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The Colgate Maroon-News The Oldest College Weekly in America ▼ Founded 1868 Volume CXLI, Number XIII December 5, 2008 Ushering in a New Era of Campus Activism BY KATHERINE DEVRIES Maroon-News Staff Since the initial public outrage that was sparked by the discovery of racist graffiti in an Alumni Hall bathroom several weeks ago, a group of Colgate students have taken it upon themselves to make sure that the currently elevated awareness of the prevalence of racism and discrimination on campus does not fade until actual, tangible changes are made. The group calls itself the "Unity Coalition" and, along with running several recent solidarity events, including the Chapel Speak=Out and the pre-Thanksgiving Unity March, they have drawn up a Diversity Initiative Proposal which provides specific goals for increasing racial awareness on campus, as well as a timeline dictating deadlines by which the proposed reforms should be instated. The coalition first presented its Diversity Initiative Proposal to the Faculty Affairs Committee, which then presented it to the entire Colgate faculty this past Monday. The initiatives this proposal presents include tour guide reform, mandatory preservation of the Harlem Renaissance Center (HRC), the addition of a multi-cultural sorority to campus, professionalprofessional development reform, the implementation of a social justice symposium, changes to the required reading list for first year students, Core Curriculum reform and a demand that Presi dent Chopp make a statement concerning the current state of diversity on campus in the next issue of the Colgate Scene. Over the past few weeks, the Unity Coalition has put long hours in to completing the Diversity Initiative Proposal. In the proposal, everything from general reform strategies, to specific ideas—such as an improved summer reading list, including Belovedby'Toni Morrison, Emma by Jane Austen and Race Matters by Cornell West—are covered. In terms of CORE reform, the proposal both explains why change is necessary, and details a vague syllabus for a new discrimination-conscious course. This syllabus basically outlines a class which would discuss issues ranging from racism to classism, heterosexism, religious intolerance and group dynamics. Assistant Professor of Educational Studies John Palmer noted that one way in which this plan could be improved would be to focus more on infusing diversity discussions into the curricula of UNITING AGAINST RACISM: Following the appearance of racist graffiti in an Alumni Hall bathroom, a group of students called the Unity Coalition was formed. The group seeks to raise diversity awareness and their Diversity Initative Proposal outlines their plans for campus reform. —^——— photo by Ananya Das President Chopp Addresses Economic Crisis BY LAURA STOLOFF Managing Editor On Monday, December 1, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined nearly eight percent, which was the 12th biggest single day drop and the fourth biggest point drop since the Dow was created in 1896. This does not bode well for the employment figures for November, which are due to be released this Friday. It's a trickle effect that has caused serious changes, possibly detrimental, to educational institutions across the country. Last Tuesday, November 25, President of the University and Professor of Philosophy and Religion Rebecca Chopp wrote her second message to the Colgate community on the university's response to the poor economy. In the letter, Chopp explains the serious challenges not only the campus community will face in the following year but also the nation. She outlined a four-step plan that provides ways in which the university will respond. "Our first action will be to substantially reduce next year's operating budget allocation to capital projects," Chopp stated in her first listed measure. The university has one project in mind, the remodel of Lathrop Hall, which will be put on hold until further notice. Sidelines, a consulting firm in charge of advising campus administration, will discuss which projects can wait renovation within the next year. "Sidelines did an analysis of the physical facilities on campus, and said we were structurally really good. At the top of the pool. Colin Powell to Visit Campus A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to give a talk at Colgate on Friday, April 3 as part of the Global Leaders Lecture Series, which previously brought His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Freakonomics authors Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt. , , --»■- - ■ photo courtesy or ncwsday.com Continued on PageA-3 Continued on page A-3 INSIDE; I NEWS The Verdict is in: SGA Announces New Textbook Purchasing System, A-3 COMMENTAR^ phu[ni i! uihw inst iui Real Change for America? Thoughts on Obama, B-1 ARTS&FEATURE ■| MM.MiI v Wo iicwvjjv.omi 'Tisthe Season for Christmas Movies, C-5 SPORTS i W A Chat with the President of NBC Sports, D-1 www.maroon-news.com